With two Elite 8 matchups concluding on Easter Sunday, the Final Four duels are both set as the world of men’s college basketball is rolling over into Glendale.
No. 1 seed Purdue will face No. 11 NC State before No. 4 Alabama clash with No. 1 UConn.
Overcoming a 37-point performance by Dalton Knecht from No. 2 Tennessee, Purdue star Zach Edey scored 40 points and grabbed 16 assists for a double-double as the Boilermakers beat the Volunteers 72-66.
Also on Sunday, NC State continued their “Cinderella Story” as they upset No. 4 Duke, 76-64. DJ Burns Jr. clinched 29 points and former ASU guard DJ Horne added 20 in the Wolfpack’s win.
UConn steamrolled over No. 3 Illinois 77-52 off the back of both Donovan Clingan and Cam Spencer reaching double-doubles. Clingan scored 22 points and collected 10 rebounds and Spencer had 11 points and 12 rebounds.
As for the other matchup, Mark Sears’ 29 points powered Alabama’s 89-82 win against No. 6 Clemson. Jarin Stevenson totaled 16 points for the Crimson Tide.
Both games are scheduled for April 6 at State Farm Stadium, with Purdue vs. NC State at 3:09 p.m. PT and UConn vs. Alabama at 5:49 PT.
For the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament final, it will be on April 8, also in Glendale. At the time of reporting, there has not been an announcement of the time of the championship.
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Reporter Alec Cipollini covers Phoenix Sports News for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
